Rhiannan Iffland, a world champion diver, faced backlash after ignoring a safety rule on one of Europe’s fastest water slides. The attraction, located at the famous Area 47 park in Austria, clearly stated that women were not allowed to ride. Despite this, Rhiannan Iffland took the plunge, sparking a debate over risk, responsibility, and public influence.
The slide at Area 47 is known for its extreme speed, propelling riders at up to 80 kilometers per hour. The park offers thrill-seeking activities like canyoning, white-water rafting, and bungee jumping, but this slide has a unique rule: women are not allowed to use it.
That’s not a sexist decision. It’s a medical one.
Health experts have raised concerns about injuries caused by high-pressure water entering the body during extreme slides. This risk includes serious internal injuries and infections. A condition often referred to as a “waterslide enema” can happen when water forcefully enters the vagina or rectum.
According to the National Library of Medicine, water at high speed can cause vaginal injury. There have been documented cases of these injuries, particularly in younger girls. Medical professionals say the rule is meant to prevent harm, not exclude anyone unfairly.
What Rhiannan Iffland Did
Rhiannan Iffland is no ordinary visitor. She’s a seven-time Red Bull Cliff Diving World Series champion and known for her fearless stunts. During a visit to Area 47, she decided to go down the slide despite the clear warning signs posted nearby.
The signs read: “Due to high risk of injury, women are not allowed to use this slide.”
She ignored the signs and recorded herself riding the slide. In the video, she holds the overhead bar and keeps her legs tightly crossed as she speeds down. Rhiannan Iffland later shared the video online with the caption: “Here for a good time, not a long time! Another YOLO moment.”
The clip went viral quickly.
Once the video hit social media, comments poured in. Many people were stunned by Iffland’s bravery, while others were alarmed by her choice. A number of commenters shared their own painful waterslide experiences. The term “waterslide enema” appeared in many responses.
Not everyone was cheering her on.
Some viewers said she set a bad example. One Instagram user wrote: “She broke the rules and endangered herself. She needs to be responsible for her actions as younger girls look to her for guidance and inspiration.”
After the wave of criticism, Rhiannan Iffland addressed the situation in an interview with news.com.au. She said her intention was never to ignore safety warnings or encourage dangerous behavior.
“It was never my intent to mock the safety regulations of this waterslide,” she explained. “A person’s safety is paramount and I am constantly weighing up any danger with my job. To suggest otherwise, is wrong.”
Her response was meant to calm the backlash and clarify her position as a professional athlete who takes risk management seriously.
The Area 47 park also released a statement. A representative said their main priority is guest safety. They admitted that the decision to ban women from the slide was difficult but necessary.
“This led to a difficult decision,” they explained. “Either disassemble the water slide or restrict its use to men only, as it stands now. Our highest priority is ensuring the safety and happiness of all our guests, regardless of gender.”
They made it clear that the rule is based on physical differences and not intended to discriminate.
Fortunately, Rhiannan Iffland wasn’t injured during the ride. She went on to win another competition shortly afterward. Her second win of the season came at the 2025 Red Bull Cliff Diving event in Italy, held in the coastal town of Polignano a Mare.
It was her ninth overall win at that specific location, adding another trophy to her impressive collection.
But just because she made it through unharmed doesn’t mean the risk wasn’t real.
Extreme water slides come with serious risks. Closing your legs tightly may reduce the danger, but it doesn’t eliminate it. The speed and pressure are what create the real hazard, especially for women and young girls.
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There have been several incidents over the years that highlight how harmful water slides can be. In one shocking case, an eight-year-old girl reportedly lost half a liter of blood after an injury on a slide. Her parents took legal action.
In another story, a guest at a Disney park filed a lawsuit after suffering a painful injury. The guest claimed a fast slide caused a strong water impact that led to what they called a “painful wedgie.” That situation also turned into a legal case.
These stories support the reasoning behind strict slide rules. They exist to protect guests from very real and sometimes dangerous outcomes.
When people see warning signs, they often think of them as suggestions. But in places like Area 47, these rules are based on research and medical advice. The restriction wasn’t created to control anyone’s behavior. It was added after experts identified risks that affect certain bodies differently.
Water pressure affects everyone, but anatomical differences matter. For women, the risk of internal water entry at high speed is significantly higher. Ignoring that can result in serious medical emergencies.
Iffland’s status as a world champion means people look up to her. She sets an example for athletes, young women, and thrill-seekers around the world. Her actions influence others, and that’s why her slide ride got so much attention.
While some admired her boldness, others saw it as reckless. Being fearless is part of being an athlete, but knowing when to listen to warnings is just as important.
Public figures often walk a line between thrill and caution. This moment highlighted that even the most experienced athletes must consider how their decisions are seen, and what consequences could follow.
Rhiannan Iffland’s ride down a banned water slide caused a big reaction for a good reason. It wasn’t just about breaking a rule. It was about the deeper meaning behind that rule, protecting people from real injury.
While Rhiannan Iffland escaped unharmed and continues to win titles, the situation sparked important conversations about safety, responsibility, and the influence public figures hold. Water slides may seem like pure fun, but they also demand respect.
Next time you see a warning sign at an adventure park, think twice before ignoring it. Sometimes the most daring thing you can do is walk away.
